Pieces of Her

An engaging standalone from Karin Slaughter, who has gained quite a reputation for her tricksy psychological thrillers. A mother and daughter are having a low-key birthday meal in a diner when a gunman appears and starts shooting. Daughter Andy cowers in a corner, while her mother Laura, who has been fighting breast cancer, springs into action and dramatically puts an end to the attack. Her actions are the catalyst for a cat and mouse chase in which the meek and mild younger woman must find her courage and learn to fight her own battles in a book that jumps between decades and continents. A cracker. Read the full review here.